Ford Falcon (BA)

Ford BA Falcon
Overview
Manufacturer	Ford Motor Company
Production	September 2002–October 2005
Assembly	Campbellfield, Victoria, Australia
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size
Body style	4-door sedan 4-door station wagon 2-door ute
Platform	RWD
Related	Ford Fairmont Ford Fairlane Ford Territory
Powertrain
Transmission	5-speed manual (XT) 6-speed manual (XR) 4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2829 mm (dimensions based on XT)
Length	4916 mm
Width	1864 mm
Height	1444 mm
Curb weight	1694 kg
Chronology
Predecessor	Ford AU Falcon

The Ford BA Falcon is a full-size sedan that is manufactured in Victoria, Australia. The car is licensed to seat five people and was released to the public in September 2002. The car was piece by piece revealed to the public instead of just releasing it all at once. The engine is an upgraded Barra 4.0-liter in-line six-cylinder which was previously used on the Ford AU Falcon. The Barra engine can has 182 kW of power measured at 5000 rmp. There is large amounts of empty space left around the motor so it would be easier to conduct repairs and LPG motor was available reducing the fuel costs. The suspension has been revised and as well as the new interior specially focusing on the centre console. The Ford BA Falcon has one main rival which is the Holden Commodore.

Safety

ABS (Anti-lock braking system), EBD (Equal brakeforce ditrubution) and Traction control are available on the BA Falcon series, but traction control is only available on manual models. Front dual airbags come as standard equipment on the XT but side impact airbags are only available on the Futura and higher models. The ANCAP gave the car 4 out of 5 stars crash rating. Auto on/off headlights and ABS is standard on all models, the Ford BA Falcon also has won numerous safety awards.

Performance and Handling

Transmissions that are available are as follows five-speed automatic, a four-speed automatic and a six-speed manual, which is standard on the XR6 and XR8 performance models. VCT (Variable Cam Tuning) allows more power to maximize kilowatts at high RPM and can reduce fuel consumption at low RPM's. There is also Tiptronic Automatic Transmission standard on all models to activate it you move the gear stick to the left and it will change gears according to your liking and acceleration. The new Control-Blade independent rear suspension wasn't better than the previous AU suspension setup but was cheaper to build, this also contributed to the base model XT being 130 kg heavier than its previous version the Ford Motor Company also said most of the extra weight was in the new IRS suspension. The previous base model AU Forte which had 157 kW of power was thought to be old when the new twin-cam 182-kW engine was released, the new engine can reach 6000 rpm with little effort compared to its predecessor which would struggle reaching 5000 rpm.

Bigger front and back brakes were added to improve braking performance because of complaints that the brakes would “fade out” after heavy use. The XR6 receives a 32 mm lowered ride height as does the XR8. The turbo form of the XR6 adds a small amount of boost pressure measuring out 6psi. The Falcon is also smoother on the road, and towing quality is better than the previous models. On the XR6 and XR8 performance models a six-speed manual standard. Fuel consumption is 12.5L/100km (city) and 8.2L/100km (highway) this is according to government figures which where tested indoors on a Dynamometer.

Development

The entry level AU Forte was replaced with the new BA Falcon XT. The new XT name was choosen to provide links to the performance orientated XR6 turbo and XR8. Millions of test kilometers were taken and over 24, 000 hours of engine and endurance testing was undertaken. Suspension testing was under taken on the Nürburgring test track in Germany, the brakes system testing was under taken in Sweden to test calibration of the ABS and EBD. Ford in total spent $500 million in development and testing. The front door arches were taken off the previous AU model and received many complaints from the owners that they were to hard to get in to because your head would always hit the top. The side mirrors where also takne off the AU. The Falcon was given more of an aggressive look to the design this was to relate it back to the performance models. It wasn't a completely new car but has had major overhaul. The front headlights of the BA resemble the front headlights off the early 1970's XB Falcon.

Interior Design

Reverse Sensing sensors were optional for more expensive models such as the Fairmont and the performance models but were standard on the Fairmont Ghia the Reverse Sensing sensors emit a beeping noise when an object becomes too close for comfort, these sensors automatically turn off if the vehicle is towing a boat or trailer. There is now a on glass antenna receiver standard on all models to pick up radio signals. The audio and cruise control buttons are now situated on the steering wheel to make it easier to reach. Some standard features that are available on the base model XT include air conditioning, CD player, power drivers seat, electronically displayed trip computer and dual front airbags.

All buttons on all the models across the range are now easier to use and configure. The audio control knobs on the XT and Futura are now illuminated in green, blue for the XR models and white for the Fairmont and Fairmont Ghia. The ventilation outlets are larger than before, to receive more effective and efficient cooling and heating of the cabin a rubberized thumb wheel opens the vents and closers them they can also turn left and right. The light switch has now been moved to the dash end of the indicator stalk and the cruise control has been moved to the steering wheel. On the centre dash there is a Interior Command Centre a large and visible LCD screen which layouts information regarding air-conditioning, the sound system and the time. The Fairmont Ghia receives a full colour LCD screen as standard. The XT and XR were designed in a way to incorporate more of a sporting image while the other models were to receive the luxury or family image.

Police cars

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Ford BA Falcon XR8 (front view)

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Ford BA Falcon XR8 (rear view)

The Ford Falcon is used in Australia a police car, its challenger the Holden Commodore also works in close competition. Small amount of upgrades are on the Ford Falcon such as a lowered ride height, limited slip differential and electrical upgrades such as police lights, radio and a more accurate speedometer and general equipment for police officers.New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory, and the Northern Territory use the Ford Falcons while South Australia and Western Australia police departments mostly use Holden Commodores at the current time. Some of the models which are used include the base model XT and the performance versions the XR6 Turbo and the XR8. Several other vehicles are used within the Police Departments but the Falcon and Commodore are mostly used for general traffic duties.

Upgraded version

In 2004 the slightly upgraded Mark 2 series BA Falcon was introduced. The new 6-speed manual featured as a standard option for all XR6 turbo models and XR8 models, this type of transmission is also used in the Ford Mustang Cobra and the Aston Martin V12 Vanquish. It has also been specially synchronized to receive smoother and faster shifts. The suspension has been hardened on the performance models to improve steering and general handling of the car. New five spoke, 17-inch alloy wheels were standard for the XR6 Turbo while the XR8 receives the 18-inch alloy wheels. The Fairmont Ghia receives diamond turned nine-spoke alloy wheels. Four new colors were also introduced now available for all models. New roof storage places were added which were taken form the Ford Territory. This car also won an award in 2004 for being the Best Family Car.

Engines

Engine	Power	Power	Power	Power	Power	Power
DOHC	182kW	245hp	-	-	-	-
SOHC 5.4L 24-valve	220 kW	295 hp	-	-	-	-
DOHC 5.4L 32-valve	260 kW	349 hp	290 kW	389 hp	-	-

Awards

1. The Ford BA Falcon won Wheels Car of the Year in 2002
2. The Ford BA Futura won Best Family Car for 2002
3. The Ford BA XR6 Turbo won Best Sports car under $57,000 for 2002
4. The Ford BA Falcon XT won Australia's Best Family Car for 2003
5. The Ford BA Falcon Mark 2 won Best Family Car for 2004

See also

1. Holden VY Commodore
2. Ford Five Hundred
3. Ford Fairmont